Jackson Township, New Jersey

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 100.624 square miles (260.616 km²), including 99.244 square miles (257.041 km²) of land and 1.380 square miles (3.575 km²) of water (1.37%). Jackson is the largest municipality by area in Ocean County.

Vista Center (with a 2010 population of 2,095) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Jackson Township. Other unincorporated communities, localities and populated places located completely or partially within the township include Archers Corner, Bennetts Mills, Burksville, Butterfly Bridge, Cassville, Colliers Mills, DeBow Corner, Francis Mills, Grayville, Harmony, Holmansville, Hyson, Jackson Mills, Kapps Corner, Leesville, Legler, Maryland, Midwood, New Prospect, Pleasant Grove, Prospertown, Ridgeway State Forest, Success, The Alligator, Van Hiseville, Webbsville, Whitesbridge and Whitesville.

The township borders Lakewood Township, Manchester Township, Plumsted Township and Toms River Township in Ocean County, and Freehold Township, Howell Township, Millstone Township and Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County.

Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area is a 12,906.63-acre (5,223.13 ha) wildlife management area located within portions of both Jackson Township and Plumsted Township operated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife. Several man-made lakes are located within the township, including Success Lake in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area.

Climate

Jackson Township, New Jersey, gets 45 inches of rain per year. Snowfall is 23 inches and the number of days with any measurable precipitation is 115. On average, there are 206 sunny days per year in Jackson. The July high is around 86 degrees and the January low is 23. The comfort index is 45 out of 100.

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census counted 54,856 people, 19,417 households, and 15,048 families residing in the township. The population density was 552.7 per square mile (213.4/km²). The township contained 20,342 housing units at an average density of 205.0 per square mile (79.2/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 88.90% (48,765) White, 4.86% (2,664) Black or African American, 0.10% (57) Native American, 2.95% (1,616) Asian, 0.03% (18) Pacific Islander, 1.27% (696) from other races, and 1.90% (1,040) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 7.83% (4,295) of the population.

Out of a total of 19,417 households, 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the township, 24.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.6 years. For every 100 females the census counted 94.5 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 91.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $86,327 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,941) and the median family income was $96,171 (+/- $2,734). Males had a median income of $68,985 (+/- $4,126) versus $45,714 (+/- $2,238) for females. The per capita income for the township was $34,521 (+/- $912). About 2.8% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 42,816 people, 14,176 households, and 11,269 families residing in the township. The population density was 427.9 people per square mile (165.2/km²). There were 14,640 housing units at an average density of 146.3 per square mile (56.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 91.26% White, 3.90% African American, 0.13% Native American, 2.06% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.97% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.78% of the population.

There were 14,176 households out of which 44.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the township the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $65,218, and the median income for a family was $71,045. Males had a median income of $51,276 versus $33,882 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,981. About 2.5% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Near Six Flags is Jackson Premium Outlets, a retail outlet center with 70 stores and a gross leasable area of 285,719 square feet (26,544.2 m²). It opened in 1997 and was expanded in 1998.

Media

The Asbury Park Press provides daily news coverage of the township, as does WOBM-FM radio. The township provides material and commentary to The Jackson Times, which is one of seven weekly papers from Micromedia Publications. In addition, JTOWN Magazine provides news, sports and other local information.

Sports

In 2015, the Jackson Little League 12 year old All-Stars won the state championship, and went on to the Mid-Atlantic Regional final and lost against Red Land Little League from Pennsylvania who eventually won the U.S. Championship, but fell to the team from Japan in the Little League World Seires Championship. 2015 Little League World Series.

Local government

As of July 1, 2006, Jackson Township adopted the Mayor-Council form of government under the Faulkner Act, and is governed by a Mayor and five-member Township Council elected at-large in nonpartisan elections. Council members serve four-year terms on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in even years. The Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office that comes up for election during the same year that two council seats are up for vote. The Council selects a President and a Vice President from among its members. Until 2006, Jackson Township was governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee, whose members were elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. As of June 2011, the Township Council passed an ordinance shifting nonpartisan elections from May to November.

As of 2016, the Mayor of Jackson Township is Michael "Mike" Reina, whose term of office ends December 31, 2018. Township Council members are Council President Barry Calogero (2016), Council Vice President Scott R. Martin (2018), Kenneth J. Bressi (2016), Robert A. Nixon (2016) and Ann M. Updegrave (2018).

Public safety departments

Jackson Township has its own Police Department which was established in 1946 and which operates out of the Municipal Justice Complex. Chief of Police Matthew D. Kunz.

Jackson Township has four fire districts and an industrial fire department:

Jackson Township has two Fire Bureaus that enforce the NJ Uniform Fire Safety Act:

Jackson Bureau of Fire Prevention District 4 Fire Official John Burmiester Jr.

Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety Fire Districts 1, 2 and 3 Fire Official Frank McDonnell

Currently emergency medical services are provided by a combination of an independent volunteer first aid squad and a private third party contractor.

Advanced life support E.M.S., (i.e., paramedics or "Mobile Intensive Care Units"), is provided by hospital providers under a statewide system mandated by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Jackson Township is served primarily by MONOC paramedic units.

Federal, state and county representation

Jackson Township is located in the 4th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 12th state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Jackson Township had been in the 30th state legislative district.

New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District is represented by Christopher Smith (R). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 12th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Samuel D. Thompson (R, Old Bridge Township) and in the General Assembly by Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan) and Ronald S. Dancer (R, Plumsted Township). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Ocean County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members, elected on an at-large basis in partisan elections and serving staggered three-year terms of office, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization held in the beginning of January, the board chooses a Director and a Deputy Director from among its members. As of 2015, Ocean County's Freeholders (with party affiliation, term-end year, residence and department directorship listed in parentheses) are Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett, Jr. (R, term ends December 31, 2015, Pine Beach; Finance, Parks and Recreation), Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little (R, 2015, Surf City; Human Services), John P. Kelly (R, 2016, Eagleswood Township; Law and Public Safety), James F. Lacey (R, 2016, Brick Township; Transportation) and Joseph H. Vicari (R, 2017, Toms River; Senior Services and County Operations). Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County Clerk Scott M. Colabella (R, 2015, Barnegat Light), Sheriff Michael Mastronardy (R, 2016; Toms River) and Surrogate Jeffrey Moran (R, 2018, Beachwood).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 34,003 registered voters in Jackson Township, of which 7,177 (21.1%) were registered as Democrats, 7,693 (22.6%) were registered as Republicans and 19,108 (56.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 25 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 62.0% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 82.3% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 55.5% of the vote (13,752 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 43.3% (10,728 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (279 votes), among the 24,925 ballots cast by the township's 36,446 registered voters (166 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 68.4%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 55.2% of the vote (14,069 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 43.0% (10,951 votes) and other candidates with 1.2% (296 votes), among the 25,480 ballots cast by the township's 34,749 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.3%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 58.7% of the vote (12,451 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 39.9% (8,458 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (185 votes), among the 21,202 ballots cast by the township's 29,329 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 72.3.

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 73.9% of the vote (11,171 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 24.4% (3,693 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (259 votes), among the 15,356 ballots cast by the township's 36,215 registered voters (233 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.4%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 66.8% of the vote (11,564 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 26.7% (4,620 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 4.3% (737 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (194 votes), among the 17,315 ballots cast by the township's 34,318 registered voters, yielding a 50.5% turnout.

Education

The Jackson School District serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's 10 schools had an enrollment of 9,477 students and 677.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.00:1. Schools in the district (with 2011-12 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are six elementary schools — Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School (800 students; in grades PreK-5), Elms Elementary School (759; K-5), Lucy N. Holman Elementary School (690; K-5), Howard C. Johnson Elementary School (607; K-5), Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School (335; K-5) and Switlik Elementary School (871; K-5) — Carl W. Goetz Middle School (1,280) and Christa McAuliffe Middle School (1,027) for grades 6-8, along with Jackson Liberty High School which opened in 2006 (1,346) and Jackson Memorial High School (1,762) for grades 9-12. On January 20, 2015, the Jackson Board of Education voted to implement full-day kindergarten. The full-day kindergarten program began in September 2015.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 312.39 miles (502.74 km) of roadways, of which 201.70 miles (324.60 km) were maintained by the municipality, 101.77 miles (163.78 km) by Ocean County and 8.92 miles (14.36 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

CR 527, CR 528, CR 547, CR 537, CR 526, and CR 571 pass through the township. CR 539 also passes through the township, but in the southwest corner, for less than half a mile. Interstate 195 is a major artery that travels through the northern section of Jackson (it just so happens that Jackson is the only municipality in Ocean County that hosts any interstate). While the expressway travels into Howell and Millstone Townships, it is also a vital link for Six Flags since it grants access to the Garden State Parkway, Interstate 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95).

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus service is provided on the 139 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, and to Philadelphia on the 317 route. Seasonal service is offered to Great Adventure on routes 308 (from the Port Authority Bus Terminal) and 318 (from Philadelphia).

Academy Bus offers service to Port Authority New York and to Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, with a stop at the Brook Plaza on County Road 526.

Ocean Ride local service is provided on the Shopper's Loop route.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Jackson Township include: ((B) denotes that the person was born there.)